For 2D GraphWorX, the Location dynamic button adds an action that enables you to move or translate an object. During runtime mode, the object moves within a specified distance (horizontally, vertically, diagonally, or along a specified path) based on the value of the connected data point. This action allows you to represent values or conditions, and when the values change in steps or continuously jumps or animation. You can also use Location dynamics to emulate a mechanical slider control. During runtime mode, users can move the slider knob to change the value of the connected data point, thus providing an input function. For more about the 2D Location dynamic, refer to Animating an Object Over a Path.
Below are the properties for the 2D Location dynamic. (3D properties are described in Location Dynamics Properties in 3D.) Not all properties are described in this table. Common properties such as Name, Description, Tooltips and other features that appear for common objects have been omitted. The properties listed in the table are those you would set as part of your 2D Location dynamic definition. You determine the default values for the Location dynamic's properties by setting them on the Preferences tab; for more information, refer to New Location Default Settings.
Unique Properties for a Location Dynamic
Property |
Settings |
Description |
Data |
||
DataSource |
An input, value, |
Data connections can be typed directly into the DataSource. Click the Ellipsis [...] button and in the Data Browser you can select tags in the system. You can also create Expressions in the Data Browser |
DragDropDataSource |
True or False |
True indicates that the data source can, during runtime, be dragged by a user and dropped into another component so that the location dynamic affects the component it is dropped into. |
LowLimit |
Value |
Low limit is used as a boundary condition in animation. |
HighLimit |
Value |
High limit is used as a boundary condition in animation. |
ActiveWhen |
Range settings |
Sets discrete ranges when animation occurs. |
Dynamic Behavior |
||
AnimationMode |
Analog or Discrete |
Analog – The location of the object is determined by values coming from the data source. Discrete – The start and stop of the object's movement is determined by values coming from the data source. |
Slider |
True or False |
Analog AnimationMode only |
StartPercent |
Value |
Analog AnimationMode only |
EndPercent |
Value |
Analog AnimationMode only |
AutoRotate |
True or False |
|
Path |
You can edit the path on the screen (which is the same as clicking the Edit Dynamic on Screen hyperlink at the bottom of the tab) or you can enter vertex values for the path in the Edit Location Path dialog box. |
|
Dynamic Behavior - Detents (Analog AnimationMode only) |
||
DetentType |
None, Number of Detents, Delta Value |
Detents are the steps that an animation can have. |
DetentValue |
Number |
The number is the number of steps used in the animation. Use more steps for smoother animation. |
DetentOrigin |
Value |
Specifies the starting analog value from which subsequent steps are calculated. |
Dynamic Behavior - Discrete (Discrete AnimationMode only) |
||
StartDelay |
Number |
The number of milliseconds that will pass before animation begins in runtime; you can use a data source for this number. |
Duration |
Number |
The number of milliseconds over which the animation will transpire; you can use a data source for this number. |
SkipInitialDuration |
True or False |
|
AccelerationRatio |
0 to 100 |
|
DecelerationRatio |
0 to 100 |
|
AnimateWhenTrue |
True or False |
|
ReverseAnimateWhenFalse |
True or False |
|
AutoReverse |
True or False |
|
RepeatCount |
Number |
|
FillBehavior |
Holdend or Stop |
|
FreezeWhenNotAnimating |
True or False |
|
Dynamic Behavior - Toggle (Discrete AnimationMode only) |
||
PeriodicToggleRate |
Number |
The number of milliseconds that will pass between flash state changes; you can use a data source for this number. |
DynamicStateWhenToggleOff |
True or False |
|
ToolTip section |
||
ShowToolTip |
True or False |
|
ShowDescription |
|
|
ShowDataSourceName |
|
|
ShowDataSourceValue |
|
|
ShowErrorInformation |
|
|
Edit Dynamic On Screen |
(Click to enable) |
Clicking this hyperlink lets you work directly on the work surface; change the location and destination of the path by dragging the object around. |
Let's consider an example that illustrates how a location dynamic can provide the output that is displayed as input to a process point. This is a slider control. Rather than create a rectangle with a bar that can be moved, we'll use the Symbols library to import a Slider object and set the properties for that object appropriately.
The Location dynamic gives you:
A single movement
A response to a fluctuating data source
An input control based on Move, which is controlled by the Slider property or an animation.
There are a set of sliders in the Symbol library, in the Miscellaneous category under "Sliders". Drag a slider, such as Slider 01, onto the design surface and then go into Runtime mode. You can see that the slider is connected to a simulator and moves right and left. This slider is a tool for displaying a DataSource value. You can reassign the data source and have it work instantly as a indicator in your display. The action is a move left of a Red rectangle at the center of the gauge, which cannot be moved at runtime.
For more information, refer to Object Properties.
See also:
Find and Replace Properties in Displays and Symbols